Rocket Panda

Genre: Action Developer: Space Pants Games Publisher: Mega Cat Studios Players: 1 Released: 2024

When I played the Rocket Panda demo for our preview earlier this year, there was something about it I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Its gameplay definitely gave me a vibe similar to Sega’s own Flicky, but there was something else to it that I couldn’t pinpoint. Now that the game is out and I’ve played it a lot more, I finally see what I couldn’t describe. Rocket Panda reminds me a lot of those early, first-generation Genesis titles that weren’t as graphically intense but had gameplay that hooked you in. Zoom! comes to mind, as does James Pond: Underwater Agent. Cute, silly visuals and a pleasant soundtrack join simple-yet-engaging gameplay to create a wholesome and fun title, and that realization only makes me enjoy Rocket Panda even more.

As I said, Rocket Panda is an action/puzzle game reminiscent of Sega’s classic Flicky, combining adorable aesthetics with challenging gameplay mechanics. The game takes players on an adventurous journey through seven uniquely themed worlds, where the titular hero, Panda, must rescue his kidnapped badger friends. The gameplay revolves around navigating these environments using Panda’s jetpack and strategically employing a limited dash move to overcome obstacles and enemies.

Collecting badgers is the primary objective in each level, but it also serves a defensive purpose. The badgers act as shields for Panda, absorbing hits from enemies that would otherwise kill him. However, this defensive advantage is temporary, as badgers are knocked away upon impact, forcing players to retrieve them to continue benefiting from their protection. This dynamic makes the levels more complex, as players must balance offensive and defensive strategies while getting through the adorable but deadly levels.

The gameplay seems straightforward at first but demands some precision. The control scheme uses only two buttons: one for activating Panda’s rocket pack and the other for executing the dash move. The rocket pack allows Panda to stay airborne, though players must continually press the button to maintain altitude, adding some complexity to the seemingly basic navigation. This simple control scheme creates a gameplay experience that requires both timing and careful maneuvering, especially since many of the stages are filled with hazards like spikes and flames. The only issue is that sometimes, the control can be a bit too sensitive, making movement a bit twitchy in narrow spaces.

That delightful slow burn of a challenge is probably what I enjoyed most about Rocket Panda. It does an excellent job of luring players in with its game mechanics only to then force them to adopt a more a strategic approach. For example, the dash move, found in little cups of coffee, is not just a tool for movement but also a critical feature for smashing through walls and for bypassing obstacles and enemies. However, Panda can only store a limited number of dashes at a time. Players must decide when and where to use their dashes, balancing the need to move through the level with the necessity of conserving resources for the more challenging sections.

The game’s world design is vibrant and varied, with each of the seven worlds offering a distinct visual theme and set of challenges. Levels are full of bright, cheerful colors, and the art style is intentionally lighthearted. For instance, world names like “Ice Cream Archipelago” and “Chocolate Mountains” reflect Rocket Panda’s playful nature and remind me of titles like Zoom! and Trampoline Terror!, though their presentation isn’t as cheerful. Rocket Panda is so darn cute that it had me smiling from the opening theme (an amazing earworm all its own), and that kind of presentation was a nice change amidst all the much darker games coming out these days. I know there’s a term for cute shmups (cute-’em-ups); is there something similar for cute maze games?

Overall, Rocket Panda demonstrates that Space Pants Games succeeded in its attempt to create a game that is not only enjoyable but also showcases the potential of homebrew games on the Genesis. The game’s charm and easy to pick up and play style will definitely appeal to a broad audience, making it suitable for casual gamers while still offering enough depth to engage more experienced players. I found the game to be a fun and challenging experience, and I really hope that it’s the first of an ongoing franchise. The Genesis needs more pandas with jetpacks, and I’m all for it.